Lyle Foster was all set to fly back from South Africa to fuel Burnley ’s jet-propelled ascent into the Premier League.
But the Clarets forward never even got as far as the tarmac – all because his passport didn’t contain two unstamped pages. Turf Moor gaffer Vincent Kompany was considerably less than impressed when word reached him that 22-year-old Foster was grounded back home.
There was no way he could line up against Sunderland on Friday night. But it is understood Foster will escape a club fine. And it was all looking so good for the £11million January signing from Belgian club Westerlo.
He was on international duty for an Africa Cup of Nations double header for South Africa against Liberia – scoring twice in the first game. Then Foster fell foul of immigration officials who brandished a red card and said he could not fly back to the UK unless he had a new passport.
Kompany’s men missed the chance to move a step closer to promotion against Tony Mowbray’s spirited Sunderland, who battled hard for a 0-0 draw.
It was the first time this season any team has stopped runaway leaders Burnley scoring at Turf Moor. A win over the Black Cats would have meant victory at improving Middlesbrough on Good Friday would have returned Burnley to the top flight.
Now they face tough back-to-back games against Boro and Sheffield United on Easter Monday. Mowbray reckons Kompany and Boro boss Michael Carrick are on a fast track to the very top. But Kompany believes there’s more to admire in Mowbray’s longevity.
He said: “I know Michael as a person and I have a lot of respect for him and his work ethic. “His brain is something that’s standing out as a manager now as well as when he was a player at Manchester United.
“We are both on our own trajectory, but when I’m Tony’s age I’d love to be managing my teams like him. I see the parallel with Carrick but I have just as much respect for Tony Mowbray and what he does. He’s had to reinvent himself and has built a very good young Sunderland side.”
